Experience: Peter Murphy, Arcadia Theater, Dallas, TX, 1990
Groupies involved: Travis, Ramona, Little Stephen, Kyle, Gretchen, Jenny
Click on photo to see more concert photos taken by me - a massive improvement from the Ian disposable camera!
A little background for the people mentioned above. Travis was, as usual, my partner in crime. Ramona had previous experience when she saw Duran Duran in the same venue. She followed them to the airport, sprinted through the airport, and then proceeded to jump on John Taylor and hang from his neck. She's a small girl compared to him. Kyle (who used to be in Channel 69) supplied some of the band with "candy". He is also famous for using his phone-in radio phrase of describing the band as "terribly interesting people". Little Stephen was a tag-a-long. Jenny and Gretchen were going out with a couple of guys from Nine Inch Nails (not Trent) - so, they reached the top of the groupie ladder.
I was fully prepared for this concert-zoom lens and all. We rushed the stage knocking over all the kids and declared our perfect spot. The concert was wonderful even though we had to fend off some pre-teen girls. They were no match for our "more cushion for the pushin'" hips.
After the concert, the back door trick didn't work, so I had to take everyone on the suicide drive following the bus. If anyone has ever driven on 75 in Downtown Dallas, then they would understand what I mean by suicide drive. All those hours of defensive driving paid off. By the way, Little Steven hooked a ride with us at that time at which point I was trying to ignore that he was asking me for a ride.
We made it to Days Inn and ran into the hotel and up the stairs. I can't remember why - maybe we overheard someone's room number. We were stopped and told that we would have to leave if we didn't have a room. Luckily, I had my credit card and soon after we had a room.
After trying to find his room on blind faith and rumors, Ramona was forced to call all of the 9th & 10th floor. When we thought we knew where he was, we slipped two notes under his hotel room door. Can you see the insanity starting? We were getting very tired and wondering what the hell we were doing there. Travis & I decided to get some snacks and a Rub-A-Dub marker at the 24 Hour Tom Thumb Page Drug (Little Debbies 4/$1!).
On the way up in the elevator we ran into two friends of ours, Jenny and Gretchen. Needless to say, we were astonished and soon found out that they were really "with the band" as in NIN. Then we saw Kyle and asked what he was doing there. Well, he was showing the band (not Peter) his new club (which of course failed) and some other activities.
At that point we met Eddie Branch of the 100 men. He came into our room and asked,"So, where's the coke?" I said,"We don't have anything to drink here - you mean Coca Cola, right?" "You guys are completely sober?" "Yeah." What a rock star! At this point, Little Stephen woke up from his unpaid bed and intrigued Eddie with his lollipop gift. It's always the ones who don't put any work into anything that get the most attention.
Next morning, we desperately looked for the band. In the elevator (it's a popular place) Peter's right-hand-man, Al, said he just had breakfast with him and they already left. He did offer to put us on the guest list for the Houston show. So, on to Houston we went...